The right stand-up comedian could make any party more fun. Party planners usually overlook comedians, not realizing how much fun, unique and memorable a party could become with a comedian. Comedy is liked by everyone, but hiring the right stand-up comedian is a completely different ball game.
Choosing a Comedian
Before you hire a comedian, learn who would be attending your event or party. Consider the gender, age, and “humor quotient” of your guests. For instance, if your guests are baby boomers from the suburbs, you are advised to stay away from young, edgy comics whose jokes, despite being extremely funny, won’t resonate with that audience. Having said that, there are several talented and gifted comedians who can manage any audience put in front of them. Finding them is your only job.
Finding a Comedian
Once you have some clarity on the kind of audience and comedian you want on-board, the next job entails finding the comic. There are quite a few websites that serve as one-stop shops for comedians. Browse those sites to find a comedian who meets your requirements. If you are new to the stand-up comedy genre and are not sure what to expect from the comics, check out the video clips of different comedians. The videos shall help you get to know the persona of the comedian and how funny he/she really is.
Stand-up comedians are busy people. They would not be available throughout the year, especially if the comedian is well-known. Therefore, check credits of the comedians and learn about their work schedule. Also, find out if the comedian works at private or corporate events. Certain comics, including the ones without a TV credit, do not excel at private parties.
Getting references from someone with similar requirements as yours would help a lot. This way you would also have personal experiences of the client with the comedian. For instance, you may gather information relating to the punctuality, dressing sense, etc. of the comedian. You would also get a first-hand account of how funny the comedian was.
Interviewing
Once you’ve found the comedian(s) you fancy, interview them before signing on the dotted line. The interview would pretty much always be telephonic. Professional comedians would appreciate you interviewing them as the process makes things look more professional and serious and comedians can also learn about your expectations during this stage. Going to a club to see a comedian perform is great. But you must know that a comedian set in a club would most likely be different from comedians who do shows for private parties.
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